Skype Interview | Lil Chuckee

Lil Chuckee was discovered by Lil Wayne, who overheard him spitting at a video shoot when he was only 9 years old. Wayne immediately wanted to sign Chuckee on the spot, but his parents made him wait until their son was a few years older. It was a smart move.

Over a span of the last 3 years Chuckee has been featured in over 35 major videos. Some consist of major performers including Lil Wayne, T.I., Nelly, Yung Joc, Juvenile, Young Dro, Dem Franchise Boyz, B.G., Huey, Jodey Breeze, and many others. He has been featured on numerous talk shows including, “Ellen”, and “Sally Ann Roberts” to name a few. Chuckee has been in dozens of magazines including XXL, Vibe, Ozone, Grip, Juice, Down South, Auc, Street Talk, Breaks, Rollin’ Out, and many others. He was also chosen to be in a book called “100 Young Americans” that released in late October 2007.

He’s also one of the youngest known philanthropists performing at over 250 shows for charity events and even started his own charity called S.O.C.K. (Save Our Community Kids In New Orleans).

Thanks to Lil Chuckee’s publicist, Ms Kay Harris, we had a chance to talk to Chuckee via Skype. Check out the interview!

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Skype Interview | New Cupid

New Cupid has started singing in a church choir, and now, with his 5 octave voice range, he is one of the highest ranked singers in The States.

After 5 albums, he released the single that pushed him straight to the top, “Cupid Shuffle”, which has a catchy dance to it. With “Cupid Shuffle”,  he broke the world record for the largest line dance. His latest single is “Do my ladies run this party”, and he’s working on a new project as we speak!

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Interview | Wade Banner of Fleet DJs

Wade Banner of the Fleet DJs Powerhouse DJ Coalition, and he is definitely one of those DJs who have their plate full. From being a elite DJ in the industry to a radio personality at K97.5, Wade has established himself by nothing but hard work and pure quality. Also, he is one of the rare DJs who likes to give back to the community, and help others through charity work.

How did you enter the industry?

I grew up heavy into music as a child. I wrote my first rap when I was 5 and started rapping at 13. At that point I knew this was the industry I wanted to be in. By the time I made it to college I started doing college radio just to play my own music. My work ethic and desire to be the best just worked in my favor and I snagged a job at a commercial radio station.

With so many DJs in the game, what are the main things that make you and your work unique?

A lot of people in the industry do it for the popularity. People been knowing me where I’m from so I do it for the love. Radio didn’t do anything but magnify what I was already doing anyway. Plus I work 10x harder than anyone else around me. Just like Ricky Bobby in Talladega Nights, I feel like “if you aint first, you’re last.” Sounds crazy but I love what I do THAT much.

How are you finding the Internet revolution in music going digital? Love it or hate it? What are your views?

I love it. Life is about progression. The internet makes it easier to become global. Coming from where I’m from I would never have expected someone in another country to even know the name Wade Banner. People criticize the industry going digital saying it makes people more lazy but truthfully you gotta go harder cause now it’s just as easy for the next man as it is for you.

Who are some of the major artists you work with and events you did?

I’ve done some parties with Travis Porter, Waka Flocka, DJ Drama, Willie Parker (Pittsburgh Steelers), Josh Powell (Atlanta Hawks), Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic), MIMS, Yung LA, Princess (Crime Mobb) and just a slew of other celebrities. And some of the events have been community events too. When Josh Powell came to town we worked together on the Read2Succeed Program and Kuts For Kids. So not everything is always about partying.

How many mixtapes have you released so far? What are the most successful ones?

Right now we on like Volume 6 of this Carolina Celebrity Mixtape, I’m on a bunch of other local mixtapes and did a few other local mixtapes. I really just started doing my own mixtapes in January so I don’t think I’m in it far enough to have a most successful one – that’s still coming.. I forsee it being between this new Team TOKYO mixtape or I got another one I’m bout to release called The Wade Banner SexTape and I think those will really take it to another level for me.

How do you manage to keep your professional life away from your personal life, and how did the professional one influence your personal life?

I don’t even think I can say that I keep my personal and professional life separate. I hear a lot of people say when they’re on the job they’re whatever their stage name is and when they’re home then they’re their real name… I’m Wade Banner whether it’s for an audience or my family and friends. Plus, in an industry like this I’m always on the job. The best thing I was able to do for myself was hire a manager and a publicist. I don’t even take business calls that don’t come from them anymore. It helps me to relax a lot more. I think my professional life has made my personal life more positive. It’s a lot of stuff I can’t do now that I’m a professional. I just think completely different from how I used to.

Is there anyting you would like to add, any thoughts, shout outs?

Yea, make sure you check me out online wadebanner.com. I’m on facebook.com/wadebanner919 and twitter @wadebanner. That’s the best way to stay updated with what I have going on cause I’m always on the move. You can hear me on K97.5 (hiphopnc.com if you’re not in the area) Mon-Fri 12a-6a and Sat 7p-10p. Also I’m on fleet dj radio (fleetdjs.com) Mondays 4p-6p. Also, gotta shout out my team – Delecia Hatcher, my Manager. Kay Harris, my publicist. Brian Dawson, my mentor also shout out to Team TOKYO – DJ Kutta, DJ Kunseit, Lik Skyy, 2B-Announced & Kwes The Beast. And also, Klassik & The Fleet DJs. Love to everyone who supports me and everything I do. And definitely my city, Durham, NC (SOUTHSIDE!!!) for making me who I am. Even the haters, I only flaunt it cause you want it..

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Interview | Robin Frederick of Taxi.com

Robin Frederick is the author of the top-selling songwriting books “Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting” and “Shortcuts to Songwriting for Film & TV.” She has written and produced hundreds of songs for television, music albums, musical theatre, and audio products. While Director of A&R and Production for a division of Rhino Records (Ray Charles, ZZ Top, Aretha Franklin), Robin was responsible for the creation of more than sixty albums. She is head of the A&R/Screener Team at TAXI and has served on the board of the Recording Academy (the GRAMMYs) and is past president of Los Angeles Women in Music. Through her books, articles, and workshops, Robin has shared her insights into song craft with hundreds of thousands of people. 

How does a young person get into the music business?

The most important thing is to start small and take it one small step at a time. Start locally. Can you put together a band or a duo with your friends? Is there a local band or artist you could write songs with or get involved with in some way? Is there someone who can give you some voice lessons, guitar lessons? Check out the music classes or clubs at your school or church.

Why is this important? Wouldn’t it be better to just jump onto “American Idol” if you can?

The people who go on to win those contests have been working hard on their voice, their stage presence, their repertoire of songs. And they understand the importance of teamwork. Working with others is a big part of your eventual success even if it doesn’t seem like an obvious thing to do. What I tell people when they ask me how to make a career in the music business is this: You never go from Point A to Point B in a straight line. In other words, let’s say Point A is the very beginning of your career; you don’t have any contacts or experience in the music business and you want to get to Point B which is being a hugely successful Rock star. Naturally, you want to get from A to B by the fastest possible path. But this never happens. Not even to Rock stars! On the way from Point A to Point B, you’ll have many experiences, you’ll learn the kinds of things you need to know in order to be successful at Point B. You may even find more interesting places than Point B — new career paths that are more intriguing, ones you never knew about before, ones that suit you a lot better than your original goal. You don’t know when you begin just what your path will be but each step will lead to another if you remain open to it. You NEVER know what will happen. So just keep taking small steps like these:

- Write songs and play them for anyone who will listen.

- Listen to songs on the radio that you like and study them.

- Read books about the music business and interviews like this one. Check out Music Connection magazine.

- Meet local people who share your dream and are willing to work with you.

A lot of your songwriting has been for television shows. Is that different from writing hit songs for radio?

Yes, it is a little bit different. Hit songs for radio have to stand on their own, keeping listeners involved and interested from beginning to end just on the strength of the music, lyrics, and vocal. That’s why you hear those huge, catchy choruses and big productions on the radio. On the other hand, when you’re writing a song for television or films, the actors and the dialogue keep viewers involved while the song is there to enhance the emotion. A big, over-the-top production or chorus melody could be distracting while a simpler guitar/vocal performance might have just the emotional feel that’s needed. TV series are using more and more songs these days – thousands each year. I’m very excited about this market for young singer-songwriters. That’s why I wrote my book ‘Shortcuts to Songwriting for Film & TV” — to show people how to write for and pitch to that market.

Stress is a big part of the job you do. How do you deal with it?

When I was writing songs for the Disney Channel, I had to deliver three to four songs a week! Now THAT was stressful but I knew it was just a matter of trusting to my knowledge and skill. Creativity is like muscle; the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Don’t be afraid of taking on challenges! The best way to deal with it is to get to know your craft inside and out. Study hit songs. Study production and vocals. Listen to current hits that you like. Listen to songs in TV shows and films.

You’re head of the A&R/Screener Team at TAXI (http://www.taxi.com). Could you tell me more about how TAXI works and how it helps up-and-coming artists?

TAXI is basically in the middle between record labels and music publishers looking for music and the songwriters and artists who make the music they need. We have screeners who listen to every song and music track that’s submitted through TAXI. Each screener is someone who has either signed major acts to a label, worked as a top exec at a music publishing company, written hit songs, or is currently providing music for film and TV. They give feedback to TAXI’s members on songwriting, performance, recording – whatever needs work to bring it up to a competitive level. It’s like the professional “artist development” that music publishers and record labels used to do. When the TAXI member is on target for what the label or publisher is looking for, their music is forwarded. We have hundreds of placements each year in film and TV, our members have gotten publishing deals and some have very lucrative careers because of TAXI. You can find out more at http://www.TAXI.com.

If someone only writes lyrics and doesn’t play an instrument, can they get into they get into the music business?

Music publishers generally won’t look at a lyric without music these days. It’s really not possible to tell in today’s music styles how well a lyric will work until it’s put to music. So here are some suggestions for lyric writers… Look for songwriting collaborators online or in your local area. Check the music department at a nearby college, ask music teachers and at music stores. Find a band in your area and ask if they are open to collaborating with you. I strongly recommend that lyricists learn to play some basic chords on piano or guitar, even if it’s just so you can communicate better with a collaborator. It’s not hard, honest! You only need to know four chords. And, who knows, you might end up writing your own melodies, too. It’s important to be aware that lyrics are not poems. It’s very difficult to write a successful lyric on paper. In my book, “Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting,” I suggest writing new lyrics to an existing hit song for practice, following the rhyme and rhythm patterns of the hit. This is a great way to practice good lyric writing and get a feel for contemporary lyric styles.

What’s the most important advice you’d like to give to young people wanting to break into the business?

Don’t give up. Stay open to all the possibilities. And don’t wait for someone to come along and make your dream come true for you. Work hard. You’ve got to show you’re motivated and that you’re willing to go the distance!

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Interview | Joe Cameron

There’s so much to say about Joe Cameron – from being a fantastic singer to an amazing person. Thing we’d like to highlight is that couple years ago, Joe made a website which was a campaign to perform at Ellen DeGeneres Show. Tens of thousands of votes came in, e-mails from all over the world – and just 2 months after – he was on the Ellen show – performing.

How long have you been making music and what or who influenced you to start recording and writing?

I wrote my first song when I was 9 years old. It was horrible obviously, but I still remember it. I was drawn to catchy melodies even then. I got more and more serious about my writing from that point on and by the time I was in high school I was recording demos of my original songs on a 4-track in my bedroom. I didn’t consider recording a real album that could be packaged and sold until 2004. I was wondering what to do with my tax return that year, it was the first time I had ever gotten one and I looked at it as free money. So I thought, “hey, I should find a studio and record a 10 song CD! “ I just thought it would be a cool experience. Once I got the pressed CDs in my hands I started mailing them out to anyone I could find an address for…which, looking back now, was the wrong thing to do. The production quality wasn’t great then and I’m sure I wasn’t making a good first impression. However, I did manage to start working with a booking agent who started booking in me in all of the famous LA rock clubs. So I went to recording a CD just for fun to playing the Viper Room and the Cat Club all within about a month. It was a good time!

As far as who influenced me to start writing, I blame that on David Foster. I used to listen to his instrumentals when I was really young and fell in love with his gift of composition. Once I learned he was also the guy responsible for writing the incredibly successful songs behind the band Chicago like “You’re the Inspiration” and “Hard Habit to Break”…forget it…it was all over for me. I knew right then and there what I wanted to do.

When did you get your first break and was there anyone person who helped along with your music career?

Nobody can do this on their own. Anyone who claims that they became successful all by themselves is a liar. Obviously Ellen Degeneres helped me out BIG TIME, but I never would have gotten her attention if Bill Bell hadn’t wanted to work with me. It wasn’t until after I recorded with Bill that people started taking my music seriously.

What have you released so far and what has the response been like?

I have a total of 4 self-releases. The first two are discontinued, but the other two are still rocking out somewhere in the depths of iTunes. The response gets better with each new album I think. As I’ve grown as a writer and as I’ve become more comfortable with exactly the style of music I enjoy creating most, the response gets better…probably because my approach to the music has become more honest and people can tell.

What would say is the most popular track that you have released to date?

I’m proudest of my most recent single, “Too Soon.” But the two songs I get the most feedback on are probably “She Don’t Need Music” and “A Little Rain”…both off of my VanCity EP.

What producers do you work with?

Like I mentioned before, the first producer to take a chance with me was Bill Bell. Bill produced some of Jason Mraz’s early recordings and also toured with Mraz for several years as his guitarist. Bill is not only a fantastic producer who brought more out of my music that I even thought possible, but he’s a genuine, generous guy. He’s a good friend.

More recently, I’ve been working with Chris Sernel who has worked with a ton of people, most recently Cee Lo Green. Chris is my go to man. He completely, 100% understands me and what I’m trying to do with my music. Plus, I’m not sure creating music can be more fun than what it is with Chris. We laugh about as much as we work!

Did you have any unpleasant experiences with people in the music industry?

Booking yourself in the club and bar market is a pretty miserable experience. You run into a lot of nasty, unhappy people in that side of the business.

Are you working on new material?

I am. One song at a time. I’m not sure when I’ll release a new album, but I’m enjoying coming up with the best singles that I can write. I also co-write a ton! From pop to rock to dance to R&B to country. I’m always writing with someone! I’ve lucked my way into writing with some very famous and successful writers. Since I consider myself a songwriter first and foremost, it’s really a dream come true!

Have you done many live shows or tours?

Oh yeah. I’ve toured. My touring band and I have toured the college market for years. We’d hit up the NACA and APCA circuits as much as possible. Before colleges we were doing what everybody else does when they start out…we were playing smoke filled bars full of drunk people who didn’t want to listen to us and open mic nights at empty coffee shops. Good times. Good times. The most memorable gig - from playing live on national TV TWICE to playing at the Indianapolis 500…it’s difficult to pick just one show.

Any tips for someone just coming into the game?

Yes. Remember that your journey will be your own. Only you can decide your own path. The minute you try and mimic someone else’s path to success you’ve already lost…or at the very least wasted a ton of time and energy. I lived in Los Angeles and tried “making it” there for years, but it wasn’t until I moved to a small town in the Midwest when my career really picked up and I ended up playing live on the Ellen Degeneres Show. There is no blueprint for a career in the arts.

Do you have a website?

I do. www.JoeCameronMusic.com Check it out. Let me know what you think! I came up with the design concept with ToeKneeBee from smallGIANT who does most of my art design. I think it’s a pretty cool design.

Describe your style in 5 words.

Catchy. Fun. Thoughtful. Smart. Memorable.

Would you ever sign to a major label?

Absolutely! With all of the doom and gloom talk that’s going on out there about the music industry falling apart and how evil majors are, you still don’t see independent artists flying places on private jets. Not that being glitzy is what’s important, but I think you see my point.

And for the end, Joe added: “I truly feel blessed for all of the opportunies and successes I’ve had so far. I honestly believe that if you work on your craft every day, instead of focusing on “becoming famous,” you will ultimately find success in this business. The best songs win…every time. So every day I try and write a great song because if it’s only good, it might as well be bad.”

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Interview | Former NFL athlete - Tony "Touchdown" Simmons

Tony ‘Touchdown’ Simmons | A professional athlete that has played in the NFL – Patriots, Colts, Giants, Browns, Texans; NFL-Europe, Arena Football League, Canadian Football League, and most recently Danish American Football Federation.

I dreamed an impossible dream. I remember like it was yesterday. I said, “Mama, I am going to play football on TV so you can be proud of me.” My mom said,” I am proud of you, you can do whatever you want if you put your mind to it.” Well, I guess that statement got the wheels rolling in my head.

Well my plan started in grade school and the playground, flag football and pick up games in the schoolyard. I played everyday in the schoolyard and evening was flag football practice. I did not play my first organized contact football game until I reached my freshman year in high school. I played and I remember the last game of the year as I was crossing the middle of the field on a dig route and the ball went high and I went after itBOOM. I flew into a helicopter. My helmet was twisted, ear pads were gone, shoulder pads were loosened and my head was ringing. I realized later that the free safety hit me as hard as he could and he was 

hurt as well.

I came down with the ball and was facing in the wrong direction before the catch. I got up and I remember walking to the wrong sideline and looking at the free safety laying on the field motionless. We both got up and wandered back to our benches. That was the day that football did not seem to important to me.

My sophomore year I played very sparsely and was going to quit my junior year and continue my track career which I was doing awesome. The Head Varsity Coach talked me back on the field and I was very leery about playing or basically in my mind getting head in such a way again. I did a drill over the summer that I did not want to but my coach said, it would help so I did and slant route after slant route into our starting linebacker did the job. One day after dropping about 15 passes I got tired of being hit and the next play I caught the slant route and hit our starting linebacker and ran him over. My coach was pleased and said again. I did it again and the linebacker got pissed and now the game was a part of me. It was not the passes I dropped or the catches I caught. It was the lesson of getting up again and repeating it over and over until I got the best result. I control who and what hits me and how hard I get hit. Thus begin my attitude in life as I failed in an area. I realized that I can do it just have to keep trying until I win at it. Perfect practice gets the result of perfect. I wanted to be the best.

Now, I was fortunate again to received a scholarship to a Division I college, the University of Wisconsin. I am a Badger for life and thus started my career as “Touchdown Tony” Simmons. I had a fabulous career in football and track in Wisconsin, I won multiple titles, championships made great friends, saw friends make it to the next level both professionally in track and football. We were the fortunate one. We beat the odds. So you want play in the NFL, huh? I was drafted in the 2nd round by the New England Patriots the 52nd pick overall. I was living a dream and I lived that dream for 5 season with the Patriots, Browns, Colts, Texans and Giants. I lived the dream of a little boy and beat the odds. But listen to the odds I beat is the most important.

According to the NCAA research, 8 out of 10,000 seniors playing high school football eventually make it to the NFL. That is a .0008% chance. That means that of the 300,000 seniors now playing high school football, only 240 of hem will eventually make the NFL. But if you work hard and are extremely good … they will find you.

0.5% chance of a male making it to the NFL. 1/3 of players invited to the combine aren’t drafted.

According to the U.S. National Weather Service, the odds of being struck by lightning — in your lifetime — are 1 in 5,000. Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_odds_of_being_struck_by_lightning#ixzz1DPa7GC6p

Each of the 32 NFL teams has a 53-man roster that includes active and inactive players for a total of 1,696 players. Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/15471-many-players-nfl/#ixzz1DPYDseRh

Tony has trained and coached other professional athletes to prepare for various events and coached younger athletes in both football and track. He loves to help others reach their goals through mental, physical and spiritual performance.. Simply put, he know what works. Make sure to visit 6 Point Athletics for more posts!

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Interview | Suga Shane

Suga Shane is one of the most hard working up and coming artists on the scene at the moment. He’s currently housed at Mizay Entertainment Inc., a talent management powerhouse, responsible for catapulting the careers of Gucci Mane, Nicki Minaj, OJ Da Juiceman, Waka Flocka Flame, and more.

How long have you been a music artist and what was your the name of your very first track?

I’ve been recording music for 8 years. 1st song ever was called “Take ya clothes off”

How did you become affiliated with Mizay Ent.?

I was friends with Waka Flocka prior to signing. I was at his house and his mom asked me what did I do? I told her I made music, she asked to hear it, loved it, and it’s been history ever since.

What is it like to work with Waka Flocka?

It’s good, because he still acts the same as he did before he got famous.

So what projects are you working on now?

Evolving and working on a whole new sound, mixing the live instrumentation of rock music with the hip-hop bass lines.

What are the pros & cons of being in the music industry?

Pros – everyone is watching you.

Cons – everyone is watching you!

Would you say the social network can be of a great advantage in ones music career? If so why?

Definitely. It gives you a chance to put yourself out there and get feedback on your craft.

What do you enjoy doing when your not working on music?

Spending time with my son.

Any chance of you coming to Europe in the near future?

Definitely. Hopefully sooner than later!

What would you like to say to all your supporters/fans?

I appreciate all the support from everyone that has been following my music from the beginning and to the people that are just now finding out who I am. I also appreciate DSFmomma.com support, you have a lot of music to catch up on! Keep an open mind and never hesitate to just be yourself! There’s nothing else like it! Most of all, I appreciate you letting me share my music with you and shining the light on me to different parts of the world!

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Skype Interview | Celeb Publicist Kay Harris

Kay Harris is one of the hardest working celebrity publicists in the industry! 

She is known as the publicist for Lil Chuckee, Suga Shane, producer Detail etc. but that’s not all! She's also a CEO of her own modelling company "Glass Kandi Models"
Most are not sure what exactly publicists do, or most thing that’s just one of those overrated jobs. 

Well, Ms. Harris sat down with us for an exclusive interview – where she talks about her job, clients, and gives couple tips for up and coming artists. Make sure to play the video under!

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